Replacing a expansion enclosure attachment SAS cable

To replace a faulty expansion enclosure attachment SAS cable with a new one received from CRU / FRU stock, use this procedure.

About this task

Be careful when you are replacing the hardware components that are located in the back of the system. Do not inadvertently disturb or remove any cables that you are not instructed to remove.

Attention:

If you need to replace more than one cable, record which two ports, canisters, and enclosures each cable connects, so you can match the connections with the replacement cables. The system cannot operate if the expansion enclosure attachment SAS cabling is incorrect.

Expansion enclosure attachment SAS cables are connected only between SAS port 3 or 4 of a node canister and SAS port 1 of an expansion canister, or between SAS ports 1 and 2 of different expansion canisters.

More information about correct expansion enclosure attachment SAS cabling can be found in the troubleshooting description of a problem with SAS cabling.

Procedure

To replace a SAS cable, complete the following steps.

  1. Locate the connector at one end of the SAS cable that is to be removed.
  2. Grasp the connector by its blue tag. Pull the tag.
    The connector is released and slides out of the port.
  3. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other end of the SAS cable.
  4. To connect the replacement expansion enclosure attachment SAS cable, connect each end to the vacated ports.
    Attention: When you insert a SAS connector into a SAS port, ensure that the orientation of the connector matches the orientation of the port before you push the connector into the port.
    • The cable connector and socket are keyed and it is important that you have proper alignment of the keys when the cable is inserted.
    • Before you insert the connector into the port, ensure that the connector is rotated such that the blue tag is the lowest part.
    • Figure 1 shows the correct orientation. The blue tab is always below the port for expansion enclosure attachment SAS cables.
      Figure 1. Proper orientation for SAS cable connector
      Proper orientation for a SAS cable connector
    • A click is heard or felt when the cable is successfully inserted and you should not be able to disconnect the cable without pulling on the blue tag.
    • When both ends of a SAS cable are correctly connected, the green link LED next to the connected SAS ports are lit.

      For more information, see the troubleshooting procedure for finding the status of SAS connections.